Whysup

25/11/2025

Words stick!

Think before we speak.

Thank you for all the positive comments Jacob has received 💙.

25/11/2025

This morning Mark was joined by a special guest at Sharples School - to co deliver our Drugs & Alcohol Awarness session for year 10 students.

Meet Niall Young O'Brien who is 5 years in recovery from drink & drugs.

Mark interviewed Niall and touched on childhood, school, being a shy teenager, the first time he used, how that unfolded and the pain it caused.

Niall shared his rock bottom and how the turning point for him was saying to a friend “I need help”. That was the turning point and the foundation where he rebuilt his life.

Niall has since lost 7 stone, is big into his running and works for one of the most popular clothing brands for young adults - Represent.

Whysup USP is ‘Raising Awarenness Through Lived Experience’. And to touch on those important topics that we need to shout out and normalise 🗣️

This morning was just that 👏🏻

24/11/2025

24/11/2025

🚨🎄

Can any of my contacts/businesses I work with, support St Joseph's RC Christmas appeal? 🎄 your support would go a long way 💙

This year they will be supporting;

1. families who have to decide if they 'eat or heat'. So some of the most needy in our community- we try to provide a hamper of food at Christmas. We are making about 80 of these on Friday 12th December.

2. 88 Hampers for 'Care Leavers'- That children who have gown up in the care system and now living by themselves- likely to not have any family/receive any presents. We are doing something about that with the support of the local community and businesses.

Whether it's products, financial or just sharing this post, it would go along way.

I've seen firsthand the difference this support makes 💙

If you can support please DM me or Mr M Singleton at the school - msingleton353@st-josephs.bolton.sch.uk

Thank you

22/11/2025

20/11/2025

William Hill….a trip down memory lane.

When Mark wished he was a 🐕



If you are chasing your losses, you have a problem.

20/11/2025

This Safeguarding Adults Week, we’re reminded exactly why the work we do matters.

Behind every story of addiction or mental health is a person who deserved to feel safe, heard and supported long before things hit crisis point.
Safeguarding isn’t a tick box - it should sit at the heart of every organisation.

🗣️ If something feels off, speak up.
✔️ If someone is struggling, check in.
🤝 If you need help, reach out.

Safer communities start with simple, honest conversations 💙

19/11/2025

We are glad we are exploring them tough conversations - one of them being su***de.

75% of su***des are male. One su***de is too many.

Let’s keep creating safe spaces where people can feel safe to open up and mental illness isn’t dressed up as banter 💙

19/11/2025

International Men’s Day.

Thanks to all the men that are part of Whysup and make a difference both in and out of work.

18/11/2025

Two weeks ago, I had a full-circle moment with my mum.

WHYSUP won the Organisation Making A Difference award at the This Is Manchester Awards®️ for our collaboration with The JD Foundation.

I wasn’t feeling great on the day of the awards. My daughter had been in hospital for a few days, and I was feeling a bit emotionally beaten up. At 4pm I wasn’t going, but I was told, “You need to go.” One of the hard parts of running your own business is feeling like you always have to show up.

All that said, I’m so glad I did go, because I got the chance to take my mum on stage when we won the award.

My mum is someone who lived my addiction with me. At times, the phone would ring and she’d think it was someone calling to say I’d lost my life. I was devastated that my addiction had put such a strain on our relationship, and I wondered and hoped, whether I could rebuild it. In rehab, I remember one of the service users losing their mum, which made me lie awake at night, thinking ‘what if I lose my mum, and this is how she remembers me’.

Growing up, it was just me and my mum. I had no siblings, and my dad wasn’t around. Sometimes it felt like it was me and my mum against the world. She stood on every sideline watching me progress in football, and she fought every battle with me. I still remember wanting to make her proud in everything I did.

Last week, we were sat at the table after collecting our award and she said, “Look how far you’ve come, Mark - I’m so proud.”

Every now and then, recovery gives you a moment you want to hold onto. This was one of those.

This wasn’t about the award. It was more gratitude that things have turned out ok ❤️

Mark
&son

12/11/2025

Take your mum to work day 💙

Yesterday my mum and I spent the day in Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

In the afternoon we delivered a lived experience - affected other session at Parkland Place . We both shared our story and spoke about where we are at today. We had some excellent interactions with the service users. A huge thank you to for making this session happen and looking after my mum.

In the evening my mum and I had the privilege of speaking at The support group. This was my second visit to this support amazing group. This group helps both addicts and their loved ones. The group was set up by and her parents. Chanel sadly lost the her brother James ( ) through Ketamine use.

This group is like no other I’ve attended and it already has a strong community of support for everyone that walks through the door and it’s all in James memory.

Watch this space for our school collaboration. So many young people are experimenting with this drug, and the impact on both mental and physical health can be devestating. This is something all young people need to hear!

Finally a big thanks to my mum. It was lovely spending the day with you! We’ve come full circle ❤️

12/11/2025

Strength isn’t running yourself into the ground.

🚨 Su***de is the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK. Ignoring your mental health can be deadly.

Balance means:
🧘 Looking after your physical, mental, and emotional health
⚖️ Knowing that strength isn’t just physical, it’s holistic

Strong men keep life balanced.